AccuWeather.com reports the ongoing drought will continue to keep the fire danger elevated in California indefinitely into the summer.

While a storm system was bringing showers to parts of the Northwest on Wednesday, no rainfall is forecast to reach central and Southern California through the weekend and beyond.

Moisture from Amanda, now diminishing over the Eastern Pacific, will not reach the state.

Weather fairly typical of California for late May and early June will continue into next week with areas of low clouds yielding to sunshine on the coast and sunshine all day across the interior.

According to Western Weather Expert Ken Clark, “In California, there will be slight cooling this weekend, followed by a warming trend next week, but the risk of wildfires will continue.”

Very little rainfall typically occurs in California this time of the year, and when it does occur it tends to be very sporadic.

“The problem has been, and will continue to be, associated with the lack of rainfall and mountain snow over the winter,” Clark said.

Since Nov. 1, 2013, many areas in California have received less than half their normal precipitation.

As a result, the brush is very dry and more typical of late summer, when there is an uptick in wildfires.

A large fire broke out on Memorial Day in Mariposa County, California. The blaze, known as the Hunters Fire, began near the Hunters Valley Access Road in the Bear Valley area.

According to Cal Fire, as of late Wednesday, the fire had consumed 677 acres, threatened 100 residences and was only 40 percent contained. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

A breeze averaging 10 to 20 miles per hour from the northwest can cause problems for firefighters on Saturday in Mariposa County. While light winds are generally forecast during most other days, large fires can generate their own wind and can be unpredictable.

There have been more than 1,700 wildfires in California since the start of the year, which have burned more than 15,000 acres.

For the year to date, compared to the five-year average, the number of California fires is nearly double and the amount of acres that have burned is more than double.

Fires have scorched other parts of the Southwest this spring.

The Slide Fire close to Slide Rock State Park, in the Flagstaff, Arizona, area continued to burn Wednesday.

According to InciWeb on Wednesday night, the fire has consumed more than 20,000 acres and was 45 percent contained. The blaze was reported on May 20, and the cause is under investigation.

While a developing El Niño typically brings a bumper crop of tropical systems over the Eastern Pacific during the summer, a direct visit by a tropical storm is extremely rare in California.

The warmer-than-average water temperatures of the tropical Pacific Ocean produced by an El Niño pattern cause changes in steering winds around the globe.

According to AccuWeather Long Range Expert Paul Pastelok, “There is a chance that some moisture comes in from the tropics later in the summer, but rainfall would tend to be very spotty.”

Winter is a long way off, but there is some hope that the developing El Niño will deliver much needed rain to the region.

“Depending on the strength of the El Niño, the winter weather pattern produced could make for more frequent and stronger storms moving in from the Pacific along the West coast of the United States this winter, which would translate to more rain than last winter,” Pastelok said.

A long drought and fire season lies ahead until then.

Alex Sosnowski is an expert senior meteorologist for www.AccuWeather.com .

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Pleasure Cove Resort and Marina on Lake Berryessa in Napa recently reeled in top honors in Take Me Fishing’s Top 100 List of Family-Friendly Places to Boat and Fish in America.

California also notched seven other places on the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s (RBFF) inaugural Take Me Fishing Top 100 list of best places to fish in U.S. state parks and recreation areas, including Lake Chabot Regional Park in Castro Valley (7), Lake Del Valle State Recreation Area in Livermore (11), Moonlight State Beach in Encinitas (13), Clear Lake State Park in Kelseyville (17), Dockweiler State Beach in Playa del Rey (28), Echo Park in Los Angeles (33) and Millerton Lake State Recreation Area in Friant (75).

The entire list can be viewed at http://takemefishing.org/community/americas-top-family-fishing-and-boating-spots/ .

“The inclusion of eight California sites in the Take Me Fishing Top 100 list is a welcome recognition of the array of alluring recreational opportunities that exist in our state for anglers and boaters,” said California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham.

RBFFis a nonprofit organization that seeks to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation’s aquatic natural resources.

RBFF’s Take Me Fishing campaign initiated the nationwide vote to provide families and outdoor enthusiasts with a recommended list of the best family-friendly places to experience boating and fishing.

Criteria included having a public body of water within an hour of a major city and good fishing opportunities.

“We enlisted the help of state fish and wildlife agencies to identify popular locations, and asked fishing and boating enthusiasts who belong to our communities to vote on their favorite spots that are easily accessible and where the fish are known to bite most often,” said RBFF President and Chief Executive Officer Frank Peterson.

With 1,100 miles of ocean coastline, 220,000 square miles of ocean waters, 4,172 lakes and reservoirs, 29,664 miles of streams and rivers and 1,800 miles of bay and delta waters, California has more fishing opportunities than any other state in the country.

For more information on fishing in the Golden State, please visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing.aspx .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A wildland fire burning east of Clearlake Oaks is nearly out, according to fire officials.

The Indian Fire began Sunday afternoon near the Indian Valley Reservoir, burning both in state-managed lands and into the Mendocino National Forest, as Lake County News has reported.

Firefighters had increased containment on the 175-acre fire to the 95-percent mark by Monday evening, according to the Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit, which is in joint command with the US Forest Service on the fire.

The Memorial Day weekend saw wildfire action elsewhere around the state as well, with the Hunters Fire sparked in Mariposa County shortly after 3:30 p.m. Monday.

That blaze had burned 500 acres by around 8 p.m., with evacuations in progress in the Hunters Valley area, Cal Fire reported.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Last year, Sharon Dawson founded an organization she called “A Wave of Hope.”

It is peopled by individuals who, she says, “come forward to tell their stories about where they were, what they are now and what they would say to somebody who might be where they were.”

Where they were was on the verge of ending their lives. And, in telling their stories, Dawson has found, they come out of the darkness to bring hope to other distressed individuals by letting them know that they are not alone.

Dawson, a professional photographer with a studio in Middletown, will display photographic portraits of 22 such individuals and the stories behind the faces on the lawn in front of the new Middletown Public Library, 21256 Washington St., on Saturday, May 31, from 1 to 6 p.m.

The display will serve as the public debut of A Wave of Hope, Dawson's organization, for which she is awaiting 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.

She said she founded the group after hearing of Lake County's high suicide rate and deciding that something had to be done to bring attention to the problem.

Several local organizations and individuals have contributed cash and in-kind donations to A Wave of Hope, including the Konocti Lioness Club; Six Sigma Ranch and Winery; Imagine, Digital; Classic and Beyond; and Studio 175.

Dawson’s creation is a traveling exhibit that is presently scheduled to go on display at 10 additional sites in Lake County.

To ensure that her mission receives the widest scope of  dissemination, Dawson says posters will be at bus stops, bars, on the walls of public places – “everywhere that people can get to.”

Open communication, Dawson contends, is critical to individuals who have reached a point in their lives where they have contemplated suicide.

Central to her project is creating the understanding that these individuals cannot be typecast.

“There is no common thread between these people,” she says. “No economics, no age.”

Virtually everyone, Dawson adds, experiences a period when they think they are alone in their misery.

“If we all knew that we weren’t the only person who went through a hard time it would be better,” Dawson says. “But the stigma is most people don’t want to talk about it to the rest of the world.”

Visit Dawson's Web site at www.awaveofhope.com .

Email John Lindblom at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – What began as a code enforcement case in Kelseyville last week led to a marijuana eradication and one arrest on charges including marijuana cultivation and failure to register as a sex offender.

Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office said Alan James Estrada, 65, of Kelseyville as a result of the case.

Brooks said that at 11:15 a.m. last Friday, May 23, Lake County Code Enforcement officers contacted members of the Sheriff’s Narcotic’s Task Force to report that they found a marijuana grow inside of a Kelseyville residence where they were conducting an inspection.

At 11:30 a.m., narcotics detectives arrived at the residence, located in the 3000 block of Meadow Wood Drive, Brooks said.

The detectives contacted Estrada, who said he owns the residence. Brooks said detectives explained they were there due to a reported indoor marijuana grow.

Detectives asked if Estrada was growing marijuana inside the home and Estrada said he was not. When detectives asked if he had a medical marijuana recommendation, Estrada said he had two belonging to other people, but his had expired approximately four years ago, Brooks reported.

When detectives explained that they could smell the odor of marijuana emitting from the residence, Brooks said Estrada let them inside to inspect the plants.

Brooks said the detectives noticed two of the bedrooms were being used to cultivate marijuana and counted a total of 236 marijuana plants, which were flowering and considered mature. The detectives also saw that Estrada was using large filters in each of the rooms, to reduce the odor of marijuana emitting from the residence.

Detectives asked Estrada if he had any weapons in the residence and he admitted to having a shotgun for home protection, Brooks said.

After viewing the marijuana plants, detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence which they served the same day. Estrada said he smoked marijuana every day, but he would only take a couple of puffs at night before going to bed, according to Brooks.

Brooks said the detective asked if Estrada smoked a whole marijuana cigarette per day and Estrada replied, “No, you can’t smoke that much.”

The detective said that due to the number of plants they had located inside the residence, he believed Estrada was selling it. Brooks said Estrada told the detective that he should stop talking and said he wanted an attorney.

The detective concluded the interview and did not ask any additional questions, Brooks said. The marijuana was eradicated and the shotgun was seized as evidence.

Central Dispatch conducted a records check of Estrada and advised he was a registered sex offender out of Humboldt County. Brooks said Central Dispatch also advised that Estrada was not registered as a sex offender in Lake County, where his residence is located.

Estrada was arrested for cultivating marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale, being armed in the commission of a felony and failure to register as a sex offender, Brooks said.

Brooks said Estrada was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.

Estrada's booking sheet showed that his bail was set at $15,000. He later posted the required percentage of bail and was released.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Saturday the Lake County Chamber of Commerce was pleased to present the annual Lakeport Memorial Day Parade.  

The event had great crowds and beautiful weather.  

The 2014 parade theme was “Honor the Red, White and Blue,” a tribute to all the Armed Forces and their families for all they have given and continue to give to keep freedom alive.

It takes a great many “hands” to put the annual parade together, and the chamber thanked the following for their assistance in bringing this traditional welcome to summer for Lakeport and Lake County: Lakeport Public Works and Police Department; Lake County Fairgrounds; Mendo Mill Lumber & Home Center for providing the judges' stage; and announcer Paul Reading.

In addition, the chamber extended its appreciation to this year's parade judges: Lakeport City Manager Margaret Silveira; Savings Bank of Mendocino Vice President Pete Dodson; and Diana Schmidt, member of Lake County Chamber Board of Directors. The equestrian judge was Kim Cipro of Lower Lake, representing the California State Horsemen’s Association.  

Assisting the Judges were tallyers, Mary Ann McQueen, Northport Trailer Resort; Shelby Posada, Lake County Arts Council; and John Burke, board member for Mendo Lake Credit Union.   

Stage setup was done by John and Melissa Fulton; Ginny Clinton, chair for the parade lineup for the 23rd year in a row was assisted by Mike Gomes of The Office Spot, Chamber member Randy Marsh, Mike Riley of Riley’s Cabs and Jack Buell of Sutter Lakeside Hospital. Equestrian Sanitation Chair was Ray Pato.  

Judge Pete Dodson and family members Frances Dodson, Ben, Mel and Cindy Trousdale were a great help in packing up the “stage” and loading all the gear.

The results for the Lakeport Memorial Day Parade are as follows.

DIVISION I

FLOATS/GROUPS

Best of Division: North Lake Medical Pharmacy

COMMERCIAL

First place: North Lake Medical Pharmacy
Second place: Mendo Lake Credit Union
Third place: The Beat Fitness Studio
                
ORGANIZATIONS

First place: Operation Tango Mike
Second place: Lakeport Lions Club
Third place: Lakeport Elks Lodge No. 2704

MILITARY

First place: Lake County Pearl Harbor Survivors    
Second place:     Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 951    
Third place: 40 & 8 Voiture 912 of Lake County

SENIOR/ADULT

First place: Lakeport Senior Activity Center
            
DIVISION II

VEHICLES

Best of Division: Corvettes of Lake County

CLUBS

First place: Corvettes of Lake County No. 1
Second place: Lake County Model A Club
Third place: Corvettes of Lake County No. 2
                
CARS

First place: Pat Sperling
Second place: Bob Lininger, Lakeport
Third place: Lakeport Speedway Pro Jammers

DIVISION IV

JUNIOR

Best of Division: Lakeport Cub Scout Pack 142

SPORTS        

First Place: Junior Giants

CLUBS/GROUPS

First place: Lakeport Cub Scout Pack 142

DIVISION V

MUSIC

Best of Division: Clear Lake High School Band

BANDS        

First place: Clear Lake High School Band

DIVISION VI

EQUESTRIAN

Best of Division: Lake County Rodeo Royalty

MATCHED PAIR

First place: Lake County Rodeo Royalty

NOVELTY MOUNTED GROUP    

First place: Rancho Californio

NOVELTY COSTUME

First place: Lonne Sloan

GRAND SWEEPSTAKES AND THEME WINNER: North Lake Medical Pharmacy

JUDGES CHOICE: Lakeport Senior Activity Center

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Lower Lake Daze Parade and Barbecue brought the holiday fun and celebration to Main Street in Lower Lake on Sunday.

The event featured a parade filled with floats, people and pets in costume, classic cars, horsemen, politicians and an entourage of medieval maidens and gents, who gathered for the sixth annual Lake Renaissance Festival at Tuscan Village.

Mike and June Salter were honored as grand marshals of this year's procession.

Mike Salter founded Lake County Television Club, leading the organization for 40 years with June by his side.

He also founded the Catfish Unlimited program, which was responsible for stocking Clear Lake with bass from 1969 to 1989.

Together the Salters were hailed as leaders who serve their community well.

The Lake County Military Funeral Honors team was the overall sweepstakes winner in the parade. The overall winner in the pet parade was Larry Batistoni and Jim Tollis and his 1951 Ford took top honors in the classic car division.

In the equine division, Team Mayo took the Pauline Willis award as well as top honors in the junior horse category. Senior horse award went to Chapel of the Lakes.

Additional awards were reported as follows:

• Color Guard: Boy Scout Troop No. 44, first place.
• Costumed: Lake Renaissance Festival, first place.
• Military: Lake County Military Funeral Honors Team, first place; 40 & 8, second place; Clearlake Masonic Lodge, third place.
• Fire: Lake County Fire Protection District and Cal Fire, tied for first place, Northshore Fire's Clearlake Oaks Station, second place.
• Commercial: Eel River Fuels, first place; Walmart ambassador, second place.
• Youth: Lower Lake High School Football team and cheerleaders, first place; Konocti Klogging Kids, second place; Clearlake Youth Center, third place.
• Float (commercial): California United Home Care Workers, first place; Lower Lake United Methodist Church, second place; Clearlake Internet, third place.
• Float (noncommercial): 40 & 8, first place.
• Pet (costume): Grace Skidmore, first place; Keleb and Marika Gamble, second place; Brittany Hazelton, third place.
• Pet (cutest): Larry Batistoni, first place; Super Kids, second place; Marie Johnston, third place.
• Pet (performing): Larry Batistoni, first place.
• Best Vintage Vehicle (stock): Dev Van Pelt, 1930 Desoto.
• Best Vintage Vehicle (modified): Joe and Norma Colabella, 1955 Chevy.
• Best Truck (stock): Al and Peggy Choate, 1931 Ford.
• Best Truck (modified): Ray Blayton, 1932 Ford.
• Best Motorcycle: Bonnie Epos, three-wheeler.
• Best Model A: Deanne Clayton, 1932 Ford sedan.
• Best Sports Car: Lee Company, 1966 Cobra.
• Equine Novelty Authentic Costume: Lonne Sloan.
• Pooper Scooper: River Thom and Blake VonRekoski.

The procession was followed by a barbecue, live music, a vendor faire and awards at Russell Rustici Park.

The event was hosted by Lower Lake Community Action Group, which thanked cosponsor Lakeshore Lions, for volunteering time and proceeds from its beverage booth.

Lower Lake Community Action Group, along with the Clearlake Car Club, will next host the “Show and Shine" car show on Aug. 16 on Main Street in Lower Lake.

Email Denise Rockenstein at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A wellness center that aims to provide culturally relevant wellness-oriented services to Latinos of all ages is now open in Clearlake.

“La Voz De la Esperanza” – which means “voice of hope” – will focus on education, prevention and development of the Latino community in Lake County.

Located at 14585 Olympic Drive, Suite B, it's open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The center is a program of Lake County Behavioral Health, and funded through the Mental Health Services Act, Proposition 63.

Clearlake Vice Mayor Gina Fortino Dickson said she thinks the center addresses an important need in the community and will provide a service the city has been lacking.

“It's important that we support all facets of our community and this is a start to doing just that,” she said.

Center Supervisor Edgar Ontiveros said the main goal is to connect the Latino community with mental health services in Lake County.

It will focus on identifying several social and emotional challenges that Latinos may face in Lake County, including suicide, incarceration, domestic violence, school failure or drop out, removal of children from their homes and mental health.

“The biggest problem in our county is you don't know where to go or what to do when you need services,” Ontiveros said, recognizing often unnecessary utilization of hospital emergency rooms.

“If you educate the community in how to research the resources, it's going to be less expensive, not only for the client, but for the county, too,” he said.

Ontiveros said the center will provide an opportunity to educate people about the variety of resources and agencies available to them, and fill the gap caused by language barriers that sometimes prevent people from accessing the services they need.

Services will be provided via peer support and volunteers by focusing on individual needs to help Latino families reach their goals and succeed, he said.

Available services include English as a Second Language and parenting classes, a children's book club provided through Lake County Office of Education, cooking classes provided by the members of the Latino community, nutrition classes and no-cost flu shots and Tdap vaccinations provided by Lake County Public Health; and mental health services.

The center also offers computer access, support groups, Zumba classes, cultural tradition events, peer support and mental health education and information.

Those who meet eligibility will be referred to Lake County Behavioral Health.

For more information, call the center at 707-994-4261.

Email Denise Rockenstein at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Firefighters made good progress on a wildland fire burning east of Clearlake Oaks on Sunday, closing in on full containment by nightfall.

The Indian Fire was estimated to be 175 acres and 75-percent contained Sunday night, according to Cal Fire.

Officials said the fire started at 12:20 p.m. near the Indian Valley Reservoir.

Cal Fire is in unified command on the incident with the Mendocino National Forest.

The fire started in the state responsibility area, which is in Cal Fire's jurisdiction, before moving into the Mendocino National Forest Grindstone Ranger District, officials said.

The firefighting effort utilized Cal Fire air tankers and helicopters to battle the blaze from the air, along  with handcrews, bulldozers and engines on the ground.

Officials said the cause of the Indian Fire currently is under investigation.

On Sunday evening, the Mendocino National Forest issued an advisory, asking that visitors be careful with fire in the forest, where conditions are indicating an earlier-than-usual start to fire season due to a dry winter and only a few spring showers.

“Typically the earliest the Mendocino has wildland fire activity is mid-June, with a more active fire season from mid-summer to early fall,” said Forest Fire Management Officer Curtis Coots. “This year things are so dry, that we are already seeing an increased risk for wildfires.”

Although the Mendocino National Forest currently is not in fire restrictions, officials are closely monitoring fuel conditions.

At the same time, forest visitors are asked to take extra precautions when using fire on the forest this summer recreation season.

“Whether it’s a gas stove, campfire or ensuring that you aren’t creating a spark, paying attention can help dramatically reduce the risk of human-caused fires on the Forest,” Coots said. “By doing this we can help preserve not only public and firefighter safety, but also the areas of the forest we all enjoy.”

Over the past week, there have already been a handful of smoke checks on the forest, some the result of recent lightning in the area, forest officials said.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The sale of single family residences in April increased by nearly 27.5 percent over March sales, according to the Lake County Association of Realtors.

In April 65 homes sold versus fifty one 51 in March, LCAOR reported.

“Inventory levels were up in April.” commented LCAOR President Rick White. “There were approximately 368 single family residences available in April which was up from 284 in March. The increased inventory should help the normally busy summer months’ activity.”

The association's report said the number of sales continues to lag behind previous years’ sales but the median price held steady at $155,000 when compared to March 2014 sales.

Year to date, the median sales price also is $155,000, which is up from the 2013 median sales price of $149,000, the association reported.

The sales of distressed homes – those which are either sold after a foreclosure or via a short sale – continue to decrease when compared to 2013 numbers.

Distressed sales made up 26.15 percent of the April 2014 sales whereas in April 2013 they made up 44.6 percent of the sales, the report showed.

More than 35 percent of the April 2014 sales were financed with cash, which was up from 23.5 percent in March 2014 but nearly identical to the April 2013 numbers, according to LCAOR.  

The Multiple Listing Service records sales by area as well as countywide.

As of May 13, the Buckingham area has the highest median sales price at $414,000 (seven sales year to date), the MLS showed.

Clearlake N-NW has the lowest median price at $98,500 but has a total of 19 sales, according to the MLS, while the Hidden Valley Lake area has a total of 44 sales with a median price of $249,900.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – It's mortarboard and tassel time, as high school seniors prepare for the graduation ceremonies to be held around Lake County over the coming weeks.

Between May 28 and June 13, seniors and their families will celebrate graduations at the county's four main high schools, as well as continuation and community schools.

The following is the list of upcoming graduation ceremonies, listed in chronological order.

Wednesday, May 28

– Carlé Continuation High School: 6 p.m., Sadler Field, 9430 Lake St., Lower Lake.

Thursday, May 29

– Hance Community School: 11:30 a.m., 1510 Argonaut Road, Lakeport.

– Konocti Adult School: 6 p.m., Sadler Field, 9430 Lake St., Lower Lake.

Friday, May 30

– Upper Lake High School: 7 p.m., football field, 675 Clover Valley Road.

– Clear Lake High School: 7:30 p.m., Don Owens Field, 350 Lange St., Lakeport.

– Lower Lake High School: 7:30 p.m., Sadler Field, 9430 Lake St.

– Middletown High School: 7:45 p.m., Bill Foltmer Field, 20932 Big Canyon Road.

Friday, June 13

– Kelseyville High School: 8 p.m., football field, 5480 Main St.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The 12th annual EcoArts: Lake County Sculpture Walk will mark its grant opening and “Arts Happening” on Sunday, June 8.

The event, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., is free and open to the public.

The 2014 theme is “In Dialog with Nature.”

Each year the EcoArts: Lake County Sculpture Walk puts nature and art together for a free-to-the-public, ecology-themed walk-in-the-park displayed at the Middletown Trailside Park off of Highway 175.

It attracts dozens of exhibiting artists and thousands of viewers annually.

Last summer more than 3,000 people enjoyed 20-plus original sculptures along the park trail, in the quiet of the pristine woodlands and meadows, and the fresh air rated as being the nation’s cleanest in 2013.

Right now artists are preparing and installing work for this year’s exhibit. Twenty-eight wildly different creations by award-winning artists, community groups and schools will extol, enhance and utilize the park’s oak-forested trailsides to provoke a deeper appreciation of nature’s fragility, resiliency, beauty and magic.

Visitors may encounter strange hobbit holes and mossy habitats peeking through the leaves in a grotto, while around the next turn fish rendered from discarded plastic bottles choke in a dried-up creek bed.  

Elsewhere you might discover giant balls comprised of dead twigs that look like mutated porcupines rolling across a dry field, a rusted kid’s bike poking out of hardened mud, or wind-chimes from natural materials hanging from branches and blending wind and sound in a combination that creates both art and music at the same time.

Most sculptures are too sublime to be described in words, but all add up to a profound experience.

The EcoArts: Lake County Sculpture Walk is organized by volunteer artists and art appreciators, and lasts all summer until Oct. 13.

EcoArts' organizers and artists hope the community will join them at the grand opening to stroll the trail and meet the artists, enjoy poetry readings by local poets including Lake County Poet Laureates past and present.

There also will be music and dance performances featuring Shawn SanNicolas of Sound Barn Studio, Sheamus Kennedy and Friends, the children of Lake County International Charter School, the Lake County School of Performing Arts and A Silk Road Groove and the W’Nac’di Drum Circle.

Other offerings will include an art-making tent, and crafts and snack vendors.

Bring water and wear comfortable shoes. Parking is plentiful and picnic tables are available.

For more information please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-809-5398.

Find EcoArts on Facebook or visit www.EcoArtsofLakeCounty.org .